The Healing Word

THE HEALING WORD

Ps. 107:20

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: HALF MEASURES

1. Bent over and obviously in pain, an old man with a cane hobbled through the sanctuary and into the pastor’s office while the choir practiced. Ten minutes later he came out, walking upright and moving gracefully and quickly.

2. “Good gracious,” the choir director exclaimed. “Did the pastor heal you by faith?” “No, he just gave me a cane that was six inches longer!”

3. That’s what MAN can do, but tonight, I’m going to talk to you about what GOD can do!

B. TEXT & THESIS

1. It’s well known in psychology that our words can bring healing to our soul and minds. Maybe it’s because words can express affection and care, and thus mollify the pain the sufferer feels. It’s wonderful to feel loved!

2. The Bible describes this effect of words. “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Prov. 12:18. Isa. 50:4, “an instructed tongue...to know the word that sustains the weary.”

3. But God’s own words don’t just convey feelings, they carry power to alter/change the circumstances.

4. Tonight my message is about how God’s Word can bring physical healing. Ps. 107:20, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” NKJV.

I. THE TURNING POINT: NO ESCAPE BUT GOD

A. EVERYTHING WAS GETTING WORSE UNTIL...

1. In Ps. 107, God outlines 4 scenarios which follow the same pattern. First, they got away from God. Next,

they got into trouble. Third, they got so desperate that they finally began crying out to God! The moment they involved God in their situation, things began to change for the better.

2. INVOLVING GOD IS THE KEY TO THE SUPERNATURAL. God can do more in 5 minutes than you can do in 5 years!

3. SOMETIMES BAD THINGS CAN TURN TO GREAT GOOD! If blind Bartimaeus hadn’t been blind – he might never have met Jesus and obtained eternal life. The same is true of many people here today – they were driven to Jesus by their difficulties!

4. THERE MUST BE A ‘TURNING POINT.’ It’s defined as “A point in time when an important change takes place which effects the future of the person.”

5. The catalyst for repentance & a changed life is often TROUBLE. Psalm 119:67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word,” and Ps. 119:71, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”

B. THE TURNING POINT

1. In Psalm 107, the people in the DESERT (vss. 4-9), in the PRISON (vss. 10-16), those suffering SICKNESS (17-22) and those endangered in SHIPS (vss. 23-30) finally got to where there was no place to look but God. When they reached rock-bottom. They had no place to look but up!

2. It was then that they cried out to God; God had their undivided attention. Miracles often don’t happen until we’re sick of our lives, our condition, our situation, our darkness and our despair. It’s when we cry out to Jesus that our help comes.

3. We’re talking tonight about truly WANTING divine healing. You have to want it!

C. THE POINT THROUGH HUMOR

1. Three guys were fishing when an angel appeared and asked if he could help them. The first guy said, “I’ve suffered from back pain for years. Can you help me?” The angel touched the man’s back, and he felt instant relief.

2. The second guy pointed to his thick glasses and said, “I’ve got really poor eyesight.” The angel took his glasses & tossed them into the lake: the man suddenly had 20/20 vision.

3. As the angel turned to the third man, he instantly recoiled and screamed, “Don’t touch me! I’m on disability!”

4. That’s why Jesus asked a man blind all his life, “What do you want me to do for you?” Mk. 10:36.

II. THE NATURE OF THE WORD

A. ALIVE/POWERFUL

1. John 6:63, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Heb. 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The word translated “active” is energns, and means “full of power to achieve results.” It speeds to fulfill the purpose for which it was uttered.

2. It has a SELF-FULFILLING CHARACTER, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isa. 55:11.

3. IF BELIEVED, BRINGS TRANSFORMATION; James 1:21 (Amp.) “receive...the Word which...contains the power to save your souls.”

B. GOD ALSO PROMISES PHYSICAL HEALING

1. BECAUSE IT’S GOD’S NATURE TO HEAL